Folding baby-carriage.



PATENTED JAN. 6, 1903.

' J. MEHLFERBER.

FOLDING BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.15, 1902.

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No. 718,056. PATENTED JAN. 6, 1903. J. MEHLFERBER.

FOLDING BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15,1902.

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J. MEHLFERBBR. FOLDING BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15, 1902.

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NITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MEHLFERBER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF THREE- FOURTHSTO ANDREW KOSOTSOH, CHARLES ARELT, AND MARTIN MAT- TIAS, OF PITTSBURG,PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING BABY-CARRIAG E.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 718,056, dated January6, 1903. Application filed March 15, 1902. Serial No. 98,414. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known/that I, JOHN MEI-ILFERBER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in FoldingBaby-Carriages, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to collapsible babycarriages, the object of thesame being to provide novel means whereby the carriage may be laterallycontracted and means whereby the spring-supported body may bedroppeddown into the space between the wheels.

The details of my invention will hereinafter appear, and the novelfeatures thereof will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is aside'elevation of acollapsible baby-carriage constructed in accordzoance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is aview similar to Fig. 1, showing the carriage in collapsed condition.Fig. 4. is a plan view of the carriage with the parts in the positionsshown in Fig.

3. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the spring connection betweenone of the axles and the body. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the look bymeans of which the spring is connected to the body. Fig. 7 is across-section 0 of the carriage, showing in dotted lines the relativepositions of the diiferent parts of the axle when the carriage is incollapsed condition. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the twoinner sections of one of the axles and the lock cooperating therewith.Figs. 9 and 10 are views of details of construction.

Like reference-numerals indicate'like parts in the difierent views.

The body 1 of my improved carriage may 40 be made of any suitablematerial and may be ornamented in any manner that may be desired. Thesides 2 2 thereof, which have been shown as made up of vertical stripsor slats, are connected at their lower ends by 5 thelongitudinally-extending parallel rods 3 4. The ends 5 of the body aremade up of the parallel rods or bars 6 7, which are hinged to eachother, as shown at 8, and are also hinged at their outer ends, as shownat 9, to the cor 5o ner-uprights 10 01? the frame. The joints 8 betweenthe rods 6 and 7are rule-joints, which provide for the inward movementof the carriage ends and prevent the outward movement thereof. Thebottom 11 of thebody 1 is hinged upon the rod 3, eyes 12 being providedon said bottom, which encircle said rod. Along the opposite side edge ofthe bottom 11 the same is provided with hooks 13, which are adapted toembrace the rod 4, so as to maintain the bottom in horizontal positionwhen the parts of the device are assembled. The bottom 11 extends fromthe forward end of the body 1 to a point slightly 'to the rear of thecenter, and at its rear edge it has hinged thereto the board 14, towhich in turn is hinged or pivoted the board 15, which constitutes thecarriage-seat. The rear edge of the seatboard 15 is supported upon therear end of the carriage-body in any suitable manner. By thisconstruction it will be seen that the boards 15 and 14 may be foldeddown upon the bottom 11 and that the latter may be swung up into uprightposition on its hinged connection with the longitudinal rod 3. The ends5 of the body 1 may then be moved inwardly, as shown inFig. 4 of thedrawings, the rods 6 and 7 swinging on their hinged connections 9 withthe uprights 10 and on the hinges 8. The two sides 2 of the carriagebodyare thus caused to approach each other, and the width of thecarriage-body is contracted to the desired degree.

The body 1 is spring-supported on the front and rear axles, and toprovide for the lateral contraction of the vehicle as a whole it is ofcourse necessary that means be provided for contracting said axles. Toaccomplish this,

I construct each of the axles of the four sections 16, 17, 18, and 19,which are pivoted to each other, as shown at 20, 21, and 22. The outersections 16 and 19 are made with the spindles 23, on which the wheels 24are mounted, and the inner sections 17 and 18 are provided with theupwardly-curved inner ends 25. These parts or sections of the axle 5 arenormally held in horizontal position by means of a lock consisting of anarm 26, pivoted to the section 18 and having a tooth 27 on its free end.The free end of said arm is also provided with the shoulder 28 adjacentrev to the tooth 27 and has a spring 29 thereon which acts upon thesection 18 of the axle and serves to hold the free end of the arm 26raised. The tooth 27 on the arm 26 fits within a notch or recess 30 inthe axle-section 17, as clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. Whenthe parts are in the positions just described, the tooth 27, acting uponthe shoulder formed in the notch or recess 30, serves to prevent thecollapse of the difierent sections of the axle.

Cooperating with the locking-arm 26 on each axle is a releasing deviceconsisting of a rock-shaft 31, mounted in brackets 32 on the front andrear axles and having a handle 33, by means of which it may be turned.The ends of the rock-shaft 31 are provided with lateral projections orflanges 34, adapted to engage the shoulders 28 on the arms 26 of thefront and rear axles. 'When the shaft 31 is rocked in its bearings, theprojections or flanges 34 will be moved into engagement with theshoulders 28, and the locking-arms 26 will be moved downwardly, so as todisengage the teeth 27 thereon from the notches or recesses 30, in whichthey fit. Upon now applying pressure to the curved end portions 25 ofthe axle-sections 17 and 18 the axles may be collapsed and thrown downinto the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7 of the drawings. Atthe same time the wheels 24 on the spindles 23 are caused to approacheach other, and a space for the reception of the contracted carriagebody1 is provided between said wheels. This space is defined by theaxlesections 17 and 18, which serve as supports for the body 1 when thelatter is moved downwardly.

The springs 35 and 36 on which the body 1 is supported are secured tothe rear and front axles, respectively, the springs 35 being connectedto the sections 16 and 19 of the rear axle and the springs 36 to thecorresponding sections of the front axle. Each of the springs 35 isattached to the upper side of the section 16 or 19, is then curvedforwardly, downwardly, rearwardly,npwardly,and forwardly, and each ofthe springs 36 is connected to the section 16 or 19 of the front axleand is curved forwardly, upwardly, and rearwardly. The upper free endsof each pairof springs 35 and 36 are connected by thelongitudinally-extending rods or straps 37, which are provided withhandles 38, by means of which the carriage may be grasped and carried.When the carriage-body is in its raised position, as shown in Fig. 1 ofthe drawings, the same is connected with and supported upon the springs35 36. When the carriage-body is in its lowered position, however, asshown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the same is disconnected from saidsprings.

In order to provide means for readily connecting and disconnecting thecarriage-body and its supporting-springs, I secure to each of thelongitudinally-extending rods 3 and 4 an outwardly-extending latch-plate39, having a slot 40 therein. One of the plates 39 is located beneaththe upper free end of each of the springs 35 36. Connected with each ofsaid springs at its free end, extending downwardly therefrom and adaptedto fit within the slot 40 in the plate 39, is a latchbar 41, having abeveled end and a notch 42 therein. The notch 42 in the latch-bar 41 isadapted to receive the spring-actuated keeper 43, the same consisting ofa sliding plate secured to or forming part of the longitudinally-movablerod 44, mounted in lugs 45 and acted upon by a spring 46 for maintainingthe same normally in looking position, as shown in Fig. 6 of thedrawings. The rear end of the rod 44 has connected with it anoperating-lever 47, which is fulcrumed upon the rear end of the body 1,as shown at 48, and is provided with a handle 49 on its free end. Bythis construction it will be seen that when the latch-bar 41 is seatedin the slot 40 in the plate 39 and the keeper 43 is in engagement withthe notch 42 the carriagebody will be sustained in raised position onthe springs 35 36. 'When it is desired, however, to lower thecarriage-body into the space between the wheels 24, as shown in Figs. 3and 4 of the drawings, it is simply necessary to draw out the free endof the operating-lever 47 ,when thelower end thereof will be forcedforwardly, carrying with it the keeper 43 and disengaging the same fromthe notch 42. The carriage-body is thereby released from itssupporting-springs 35 and 36 and may be lowered into the space betweenthe wheels and be supported upon the axlesections 17 18.

The front and rear axles are connected by the two braces 50, the samebeing attached to the inner axle-sections 17 and 18 and extendedrearwardly beyond the rear axle, as shown. The rear ends of these bracesare provided with sockets 51 for the reception of the handles 52 of thecarriage.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that I have provideda simple and effective means whereby a baby-carriage may be folded orcontracted, so that it may be stored away in a narrow hallway or otherpart of a house without obstructing the passage therethrough. I havealso provided means consisting of the handle 38, whereby the carriagemay be conveniently moved when in collapsed condition from point topoint. When it is desired to collapse the carriage, it is merelynecessary to fold down the boards 14 and 15 onto the bottom 11, raisesaid bottom and the boards 14 and 15 thereon to upright position andfold inwardly the rods 6 and 7 of the ends 5, as shown in Fig. 401? thedrawings. At the same time, however, the rockshaft 31 is turned in itsbearings so as to bring the projections 34 thereon into engagement withthe shoulders 28 on the arms 26. This releases the teeth 27 on the arms26 from the notches 0r recesses 30 in which they fit, and by theapplication of pressure to the inner ends of the axle-sections 17 and 18the axles may be folded down and contracted, as is shown in dotted linesin Fig. 7 of the drawings. Pressure is now applied to the handle 49 ofthe operating-lever 47 and the upper free end of the latter is drawnoutwardly. This action forces forwardly the lower end of said lever,whichcarries with it the rod 44, having the keeper .43 thereon. Saidkeeper by this movement is disengaged from the notch 42, the body 1 isdisengaged from the springs 35 36, and the same may then be lowered intothe space between the wheels 24 and be supported upon theaxle-sectionsl'? and 18.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. A body for a folding baby-carriage comprising sides, ends and abottom, the bottom being hinged to the lower edge of one of the sides,capable of swinging upwardly and adapted to be supported in operativeposition by the other of said sides, each end being made in sectionshinged to each other and to said sides and capable of folding inwardly,and a seat consisting of two boards, one of which is hinged to saidbottom, and the other of which is hinged to the first and is adapted tobe supported at the rear end of said body, both of said boards beingadapted to fold downwardly on said bottom and upwardly therewith.

2. A body for a folding baby-carriage, comprising sides, ends and abottom, the bottom being hinged to the lower edge of one of the sides,capable of swinging upwardly and adapted to be supported in operativeposition by the other of said sides, each end being made in sectionshinged to each other and to said sides and capable of folding inwardly,and a seat consisting of two boards, one of which is hinged to thebottom and the other of which is hinged to the first and adapted to besupported at the rear end of said body, both of said boards beingadapted to fold downwardly on said bottom.

3. A body for a folding baby-carriage, comprising sides, ends and abottom, the sides having longitudinally-extending rods along their loweredges, each end having rods along its lower edge hinged to each otherand to the sides so that they are capable of folding inwardly, and thebottom being hinged to the rod along the lower edge of one of saidsides, and provided with hooks or engaging portions cooperating with therod along the lower edge of the other of said sides, whereby said bottomis supported in horizontal position, but may be swung upwardly, and aseat consisting of two boards, one of which is hinged to the bottom, andthe other of which is hinged to the first and is adapted to be supportedat the rear end of said body, both of said boards being adapted to folddownwardly on said bottom.

4:. In a folding baby-carriage, a laterallycontractible body, springsfor supporting said i body in operative position, means for disengagingsaid body from said springs whereby the same may be lowered, andsectional contractible axles constituting supports for said bodyindependent of said springs when said body is lowered.

5. In a folding baby-carriage, a body and axles, both of which arecapableof lateral contraction, springs secured to said axles and servingto support said body when the carriage is in operative position, andmeans for disengaging said 'body from said springs, whereby the same maybe lowered into the space between the wheels, the said axles supportingsaid body when lowered independent of said springs. i

6. In a folding baby-carriage, a body capable of lateral contraction,axles made in sections adapted to be folded downwardly at the center toconstitute supports for the body when the carriage is in foldedcondition, springs upon which the body is supported in raised position,and means for disconnecting the body from said springs, whereby the samemay be lowered into the space between the wheels and be supported uponsaid axles.

7. In a folding baby-carriage, the combination with a body capable oflateral contraction, of axles made in sections, pivoted to eachother,springs secured to said axles upon which said body is supportedwhen in raised position, and means for disconnecting said body from saidsprings, the inner sections of said axles being capable] of being foldeddownwardly to constitute supports for the body when the device is in itsfolded condition.

8. In a folding baby-carriage, a body capable of lateral contraction,axles made in sections adapted to be folded downwardly at the center toconstitute supports for the body when the carriage is in foldedcondition, springs upon which the body is supported in raised position,means for disconnecting the body from said springs, whereby the same maybe lowered into the space between the wheels and be supported upon saidaxles, and alock for maintaining said axles in operative position.

9. In a folding baby-carriage, the combination with alaterally-contractible body adapted to be lowered from its normalposition, of axles made up of a series of pivoted sections, the outersections of each axle having spindles thereon on which the wheels aremounted,

and the inner sectionsof each axle having their adjacent ends curvedupwardly, and adapted to be folded downwardly to constitute supports forthe body, one of said inner sections having a notch or shoulder thereon,a lockingarm pivoted to the other of said sections and having a tooththereon adapted to engage said notch or shoulder, and a spring fornormally maintaining said locking-arm in operative position.

10. In a folding baby-carriage,the combination with alaterally-contractible body adapted to be lowered from its normalposition, of

axles made up of a series of pivoted sections, the outer sections ofeach axle having spindles thereon on which the wheels are mounted, andthe inner sections of each axle having their adjacent ends curvedupwardly, and adapted to be folded downwardly to constitute supports forthe body, one of said inner sections having a notch or shoulder thereon,a locking-arm pivoted to the other of said sections and having a tooththereon adapted to engage said notch or shoulder, a spring for normallymaintaining said locking-arm in operative position, and means fordisengaging the free end of said locking-arm from said notch orshoulder.

11. In a folding baby-carriage, the combination with alaterally-contractible body adapted to be lowered from its normalposition, of axles made up of a series of pivoted sections, the outersections of each axle having spindles thereon on which the wheels aremounted, and the inner sections of each axle having their adjacent endscurved upwardly, and adapted to be folded downwardly to constitutesupports for the body, one of said inner sections having a notch orshoulder thereon, a locking-arm pivoted to the other of said sectionsand having a tooth thereon adapted to engage said notch or shoulder, aspring for normally maintaining said locking-arm in operative position,and a longitudinally-extending rock-shaft having lateral projections orflanges thereon adapted to engage the free end of the locking-arm oneach axle for dis engaging the same from the notch or shoulder withwhich it cooperates.

12. In a folding baby-carriage,the combination with the axles and thebody thereof, both of which are capable of lateral contraction, ofcurved springs secured, to said axles and extending upwardlytherefrom,and means for connecting and disconnecting said springs fromsaid body, the same consisting of latchbars carried by the upper freeends of said springs, each of which has a notch or shoulder therein, andspring-actuated keepers on said body cooperating with the notches orshoulders in said latch-bars for locking the body to said springs.

13. In a folding baby-carriage,the combination with the axles and thebody thereof, both of which are capable of lateral contraction, ofsprings secured to said axles and extending upwardly therefrom,latch-bars carried by the upper free ends of said springs having notchesor shoulders therein, and extending downwardly therefrom,slottedlatch-plates secured to the body and adapted to receive said latch-bars,and spring-actuated keepers on the under sides of said plates, adaptedto engage the notches or shoulders in said latchbars for locking thebody to said springs.

14. In a folding baby-carriage,the combination with the axles and thebody thereof, both of which are capable of lateral contraction, ofsprings secured to said axles and extending upwardly therefrom, strapshaving handles thereon connecting the free ends of the springs on eachside of the vehicle, latchbars secured to said springs having notches orshoulders therein, and extending downwardly therefrom,slottedlatch-plates on said body adapted to receive said latch-bars, andspring-actuated keepers on the under sides of said plates adapted toengage said notches or shoulders,for locking the body to said springs.

15. In afolding baby-carriage,the combination with the axles and thebody thereof, both of which are capable of lateral contraction, ofsprings secured to said axles and extending upwardly therefrom,latch-bars carried by said springs having notches or shoulders thereinand extending downwardly therefrom, slotted latch-plates on said bodyadapted to receive said latch-bars, keepers on the under side of saidplates adapted to engage said notches or shoulders for locking the bodyto said springs,longitudinally-extending springactuated rods secured tosaid keepers and extending rearwardly along the under side of the bodyand operatinglevers fulcrumed to the rear of said body and pivoted tosaid rods whereby said keepers may be released from their engagementwith said latch-bars,as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

Witnesses:

ANDREW KOSOTSCH, WM. M. STOCKBRIDGE.

JOHN MEHLFERBER.

